Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Now it sounds like a mouthful but you may want to get good at saying Meibomian Gland Dysfunction… or MGD for short.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) is the most common cause of dry eye disease. It could be a key reason your eyes feel sore and tired, or look red.

What is MGD?

The meibomian glands are numerous oil producing glands located in the top and bottom eyelids, with their openings near the eyelashes. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction is a condition where the meibomian glands in the eyelids are not functioning properly. These little glands normally spread oil into the tears to improve eye comfort but in MGD the glands may get inflamed, blocked or shrink, or produce poor quality oil (meibum); so that no oil or poor quality oil is is added to the tears with each blink.

What are the symptoms of MGD?

Symptoms of meibomian gland dysfunction do depend on the severity of the case and can vary person to person, but can include:

  • Gritty Eyes

  • Burning and stingy eyes

  • Blurry vision that comes and goes

  • Itchy eyes

  • Watery eyes in windy environments

  • Red eyes

  • Red Eyelids

  • Tried Eyes towards the end of the day

  • Eye discomfort on waking

  • Styes

Symptoms of MGD can be constant or intermittent. Environmental changes like air conditioning, computer use and heating may increase make things worse.

What are the Risk Factors for MGD?

The risk of meibomian gland dysfunction increases do with age. Studies show that those over the age of 40 have a much greater risk of developing MGD than younger people.

Ethnicity can also be a factor, with studies showing that MGD is more common in Asian populations, though the numbers do vary between studies.

Wearing make-up can potentially contribute to developing MGD, as eyeliner and other makeup products can block the openings of meibomian glands, especially when eyelids are not cleaned thoroughly before going to bed at night. The ingredients in make up can also be an issue.

Individuals with Rosacea frequently also have MGD. And those taking Roaccutane often experience challenges with MGD due to shrinking of the meibomian glands.

Treatment for MGD.

A good eye care professional will give you individualised advice but key options for management of MGD include:

  • Lubricating Sprays and Drops with an oil component are a way to reduce intermittent symptoms as they supplementing the oil supply. Examples include Systane Complete, NovaTears, Optive Advanced and Peep Club Instant Eye Relief Spray.

  • Warm Compresses are really beneficial for MGD. Ideally with a wheat bag, Bruder Mask, OptiSoothe Mask or another device designed to effectively warm the glands for long enough to the right temperature.

  • Omega 3, either through your diet or supplements, have been shown to improve symptoms, reduce inflammation and help change the consistency of the oil that is produced by the glands.

  • OptiMel™, a unique honey-based eye drop, has been shown to be an effective treatment for MGD, reducing bacterial load on the lid margin, improving signs of inflammation & redness and improve the quality of the oil made by the meibomian glands

  • Clean lids are healthy lids so lid hygiene is important. Hypochlorous cleansers are particularly good for MGD.

  • A course of oral antibiotics that have an anti-inflammatory component also can be used if the severity warrants it.

  • Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Therapy is also proven to help reduce inflammation, improve symptoms and improve meibomian gland function.

  • Other procedures an eye care professional may recommend include Lid Margin Debridement, BlephaSteam, Therapeutic Meibomian Gland Expression, LipiFlow, Systane iLux and TearCare.

What to do if you think you have MGD?

While lifestyle habits such as having a good omega-3 intake, wearing safer make up and removing it at night, will make a difference; detecting whether you have a problem with meibomian gland dysfunction needs to be done by an eye care professional.

A Dry Eye Specialist would look at your overall ocular surface health, the quality of the oil coming out of your glands and the structure of your glands.